Watch the Screenplay Reading:
Out of work actors in LA plan a robbery of a marijuana dispensary in the middle of Covid lockdown.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Val Cole
Corey: Steve Rizzo
Blake: Shawn Devlin
Patty: Julie Sheppard
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about?
The plot is a heist of a dispensary during the peak of Covid lockdown. But the story is about who is winning and losing in the modern American economy. In it, a couple young American males have lost faith in the late capitalist system. History tells us that when young males feel lost en masse, bad things can happen. Here, this group takes a crazy risk with their lives over a compartively small prize. By the start of the film, they have lost faith in institutions, dropped out of higher education, and are pursuing moonshots to achieve what they perceive as success. You could read the story as a mini-revolution with real winners and losers.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
It is a heist film. It has some funny dialogue, a drug backdrop, and some romance. But those are all secondary characteristics. These are folks that are pushing all the chips in and risking a long sentence in jail for the bag.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It’s a fun heist film first and foremost. Designed to be fast, funny, and sexy. By the time it is released there might even be some Covid lockdown nostalgia. And there’s always an audience for a films with a marijuana theme. But there is also a lesson here about trust and a microcosm of the current winner-take-all economy. There are also some unique characters here with which strong actors could have a lot of fun: an innumerate brawler with a heart of gold, an escapee of a Mormon cult, a female exec without a degree, struggling comedian, a model/actor, etc.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Covid heist.
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
True Romance. Tarrantino script — with incredible dialogue — directed by Tony Scott. Perhaps the most loaded cast of all time, and all at interesting points in their careers: Slater, Arquette, Hopper, Pitt, Walken, Gandolfini, Oldman, Chris Penn, Sizemore, etc. So many short, but powerful performances. Also, it’s a crime film.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I came up with the idea in April of 2021, and starting mapping out characters soon after.
7. How many stories have you written?
Including this I’ve got two features in a pretty good place that have won or advanced at some festivals. Then I have another movie and two episodes of a show, but neither of those ready yet. My background was a stand-up comedian back in 2001-2010, so most of my writing was stand-up sets.
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
So hard to pick one. Favorite song might be The Smith’s How Soon is Now? The album I probably listened to more than any other would be Nirvana’s Nevermind.
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Heist films are hard because the audience has to believe that it would be difficult but plausible. There are cameras everywhere, DNA evidence, cell towers, etc. I actually listened to dozens of episodes The Heist Podcast to get ideas for the getaway plan, and finally found one that was translated from a German news article. As soon as I heard it I knew it was the one.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I work with sales teams, so I love training sellers and writing new messaging. Sales gets a bad rep, but it got me out of student loan debt and it feeds a lot of people. Like 20% of the work force does some selling.
11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
Fantastic site to help stay on top of upcoming festivals and make it easy to enter. I have a day job so their reach is invaluable to me. I’m also a fan of the site Blacklist.
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I loved the focus on the genre. Crime is just fascinating, that’s why there are so many movies about it. Movies are a great way to explore the risks, upsides, thrills, etc without risking a decade in an orange jumpsuit.
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 